Would you pay $50 for a water bottle? You don’t have to now—thanks to Kmart’s $15 version

It’s the everyday item that’s quietly become a style statement—and for some, a bit of an obsession.

With prices climbing higher for popular versions, many Aussies have been searching for a savvy alternative.

Now, one shopper claims she’s found a near-perfect dupe for a fraction of the cost.


Over the past few years, water bottles have quietly evolved from everyday essentials to cultural touchstones—featured in memes, personalised with quirky accessories, and proudly toted around like fashion statements.

Whether it’s the much-loved Frank Green or the internet’s new darling, the Owala, these bottles have come to symbolise more than just hydration—they’re a whole lifestyle.

While it’s heartening to see Aussies taking hydration and sustainability more seriously, there’s no denying that some of these bottles come with price tags that leave many doing a double take.


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Kmart shopper stuns with clever $15 find. Image source: Owala/Kmart Australia


Owala bottles, for instance, start at around $50, while the popular Yeti versions can set you back over $60.

Sure, these might be great for hikers or camping enthusiasts, but for everyday Aussies just trying to hit their eight glasses a day, the price can be a bit much.

That’s exactly why Kmart shopper Tinayah Safi was thrilled to stumble upon a much more wallet-friendly alternative.

She said she ‘100% would recommend this Kmart bottle’. Priced at just $15, the dupe version closely mirrored the sleek look of the Owala without the hefty cost. And for Tinayah, it was a no-brainer.

‘If you’re after a cheaper option that still looks cute and feels like decent quality, this one’s a no-brainer,’ she said. ‘Kmart always comes through with affordable goodies that actually do the job.’


Known for turning trend-inspired items into budget-friendly gems—from Birkenstock lookalikes to high-end homeware alternatives—Kmart seemed to deliver yet again. Tinayah admitted she’d been waiting for this particular release.

‘Honestly, the only thing that surprised me was how long it took Kmart to drop one,’ she said. ‘Kmart is the queen of dupes, so I was waiting for this one for ages. But they nailed it, as always.’

Visually, the similarities between the two bottles were hard to ignore. The Owala drink bottles—starting at around $50—stood in sharp contrast to Kmart’s $15 offering. But despite the difference in price, the design was impressively close, with Tinayah saying it ‘totally screams “dupe.”’

‘Since I haven’t tried the real Owala, I can’t compare [it] performance-wise. But for a budget-friendly option, the Kmart bottle feels like it can definitely hold its own. Plus, it looks the part, which already makes it a win in my books.’


For those drawn in by colour, the Kmart range didn’t disappoint. Tinayah shared her find on social media, and the reaction was instant. Her video racked up over 100,000 views, as users flooded the comments with enthusiasm—and gratitude.

‘I’ve been wanting an Owala since they first became a thing, but I couldn’t justify the cost… thank you, Kmart 🥰,’ one person wrote.

‘Omg RUNNING,’ another replied.

Others were quick to reveal they’d also snatched one up before the social media hype took hold.

‘I saw this the other day and literally grabbed it before [social media] did its thing and sold them out,’ one shopper commented. ‘It’s good! Glad I didn’t have to spend Owala $$$.’


There were, of course, some loyalists who insisted that nothing could beat the ‘real deal’. A few even pointed out that ALDI had started selling similar bottles as well. But for the many Aussies looking for a stylish and affordable way to stay hydrated, the Kmart version seemed like a clear winner.

Even the colour range had fans buzzing.

‘The colours look great,’ one user raved.

‘I chose the white one,’ said another.

‘PURPLE IS PRETTY,’ a third chimed in.


Source: TikTok/itstinayahsafi​


As for Tinayah, she couldn’t possibly choose a favourite.

‘Ugh, don’t make me choose my favourite colour combo!’ she laughed.

‘They’ve done such a good job with the colour combos. There’s honestly something for everyone. If it were up to me, I’d probably grab one of each. I’m way too indecisive when it comes to colours.’

And while some insisted that ‘you only need one reusable water bottle’, Tinayah and her fellow shoppers might just prove that sentiment wrong…


If this savvy water bottle swap caught your eye, there's another clever twist on the trend worth checking out.

In a separate story, one crafty shopper didn’t just settle for a dupe—she transformed it into a DIY designer lookalike.

It’s a fun example of how a little creativity can make a budget buy feel like the real deal.

Read more: This clever mum DIYs a $15 Kmart bottle into a designer lookalike!

Key Takeaways
  • Water bottles have become trendy lifestyle items, but many are priced beyond what everyday Aussies can justify.
  • A Kmart shopper found a $15 dupe that closely resembles the $50 Owala, sparking excitement online.
  • The design, colour options, and quality impressed shoppers, with many praising it as a smart budget-friendly alternative.
  • Social media users rushed to grab one, saying it looks great and feels like a win without the high price tag.

With so many Aussies hunting for stylish ways to stay hydrated without breaking the bank, it’s no surprise this $15 find struck a chord.

Whether it’s for health, sustainability, or just a pop of colour in your daily routine, finding the right bottle can feel surprisingly personal.

Do you think it’s worth splurging on the big-name brands—or is a good dupe all you really need?
 
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My daughter uses a Frank bottle which set her back $50 to be honest the kmart one doesn't compare.

Water only stays cold in the kmart one for a couple of hours whereas in the Frank bottle 12 hours later it was just as cold as it was in the beginning.

We did this test in March as I told my daughter she was only paying for the name. She proved me wrong. She has had the Frank bottle for 6 months using it every day and still looks new and still works the same as day one. Also cleans easily

In this case you pay for what you get
 
well, I got a bottle from Kmart to take away with me so on arriving at the hotel i boiled the jug rinsed it out and boiled the water then filled up my Kmart bottle it took 3 day with the lid off to cool down so my $7.00 bottle was just as good as the $50 one and it didn't mater if it got lots
 
Going slightly off topic for a moment and I have to say this is NOT my idea, but one I saw on another forum. For grandparents taking the grandkids out for a day can end up costing a small fortune by the time you’ve bought snack, lunch and cooling ice blocks on a hot summer day. You can obviously take snacks and lunch with you but taking the ice blocks is a problem. To alleviate this cost you can take a large DOUBLE WALLED drink bottle and fill it with frozen Zooper Doopers, or similar, and it will keep the ice blocks frozen for hours. All you need is a small pair of nail scissors in your bag to open them as required. Honestly it’s not a bad idea for anyone, any age, attending a day out on a hot summer’s day.
 

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